I’m a SAHM not a housewife!

Before we had children’s, I was working full time. I remember having a conversation with Stu and agreeing that if I were to give up work that I’d take on most of the housework. I’d do the shopping and keep on top of the general running of the house. That seemed only fair.

Fast forward and we have both realised that being the stay at home parent is not the job we envisaged. I think it’s important to dispel the myth that all SAHPs do is sit around drinking tea. I wish. In fact, since my girls stopped napping, I now have less time to myself than ever before.

Our roles

Team twindividuals works best when both mummy and daddy value the roles they play. For now that means, Stu bringing in the bread. He is financially supporting us and actually bringing home the bread with the shopping. My part entails caring for and nurturing our girls.

Although that sounds pretty airy fairy, by staying at home, I have more time to enrich their day to day lives with puzzles and crafts, stories and den making. Toddler groups, gym sessions and trips to the farm are so valuable and I’m more than happy to leave piles of washing and unmade beds to give them these experiences.

I’m not the cleaner

While I was pregnant, we got a cleaner and when we were considering me giving up work, that was a luxury we thought would go. In fact there were many more luxuries I was prepared to sacrifice before this one. Expensive clothes, a new phone and lots of take aways are much less important to me than the time I get back from having a domestic goddess.

I read another mummy say that when you have children you either need to lower your standards or get help. My standards are already pretty low but the few hours a fortnight mean I know all the basics are covered. I just need to keep on top of the day to day mess.

Acknowledging that it’s not my job alone to keep the house spick and span also means that if on the odd occasion our girls are playing nicely that I can actually have 10 minutes of me time. Whether that is working on my blog, scrolling Facebook or browsing eBay. I don’t think I should feel guilty that I’m not manically scrubbing toilets or vacuuming the lounge.

Making the most of this time

I feel incredibly previledged to be in the position that I can choose to stay home with my girls in these early years and even more lucky to be to afford help. For many juggling a job, childcare and running a house is the reality and to you I take off my hat.

In this house, we are a team and so sharing the chores that make our household run smoothly seems fair to us both. While he’s washing up, I’ll be wiping highchairs and sweeping up. For now we’ve got the balance just about right. However, it’s taken quite some time to adjust to our new roles.

How do you share chores or do you think the stay at home parent should do the lion’s share? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

There’s so much to do. The housekeeping on top of managing the kids seems to happen around the edges and everyone needs to muck in. I’m hoping to teach my little one how to clean as soon as possible! #PostsFromTheHeart

It took us a while but my partner and I have now *almost* got the balance right, I do what I can during the day with my main priority being caring for our daughter and on an evening we do what we can to keep the house looking presentable enough so that if we have impromptu guests we aren’t mortally ashamed of the house! I’d love a cleaner – something to aim for when we have a bit more income! #ThatLinkyFriday

We are very much into sharing the chores here too. Hubby loves to cook while I don’t. Since the nesting instinct took over I’m trying desperately to keep the place tidy. However, the munchkins keep following me and messing it up! #BloggerClubUK

I totally agree that whether you’re a working mummy or a SAHM you’re still a team. I’m currently working but due to go on maternity leave in a couple of weeks and I do think chores should be shared, OK I’ll be doing the bulk of it when I can but like you said it’s still a job and I do expect my other half to help. Hopefully like you we find a balance that works for us #BloggerClubUK

Hey there

I’m Amanda, an ex-primary school teacher and now SAHM to twins Jessica and Emily. We spend our days crafting, cooking and reading. This little corner of the internet is where I share the trials and tribulations of raising twindividuals, family days out and preschool fun. I hope to inspire and encourage you to try something new, to make the most of the preschool years and create long lasting family memories.

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